MANSFIELD – The deafening roar of engines and thick clouds of black smoke signified the return of the annual tractor pull to the Richland County Fair on Thursday.

This year’s tractor pull drew a large crowd as hundreds of spectators packed the grandstand to watch the event.

The Ohio State Tractor Pullers Association ran this year’s event as they have for decades.

OSTPA President Mike Laribee said Thursday’s tractor pull drew about 30 pullers in three official classes this year: super-modified four wheel drive, light limited pro stock and semi. A fourth class, diesel, also ran during the pull.

Participants competed for this year’s purse of $10,743, which Laribee said will be distributed among pullers based on who pulled the weighted sled the furthest.

Though pullers came out for the purse and the competition, Laribee said the main draw was the atmosphere as the many of the pullers, event coordinators and technicians have formed close bonds over the years.

“It’s like a big family,” Laribee said. “We’re all just really glad to be here in Richland County pulling. It’s a beautiful night, and hopefully people have a good time.”

OSTPA hosts dozens of races during the season at county fairs all across Ohio.

The community of pullers that could be found during Thursday night’s fair event is typically the same group that tours all across the state. The only difference with the Richland County Fair, Laribee said, is that many of those pullers happen to be from Richland County — making this county fair a bit more special than others.

“Everyone wants to pull in front of their family and friends,” he said.

But pulling is only a small part of what goes into making the tractor pull successful.

There is the grounds crew that spends hours before the event packing watered-down dirt into the grandstand area before the pull begins. There are technical inspectors who check the safety functions of each vehicle every night to ensure the event runs smoothly.

Between those workers, the announcers, and weigh-in coordinators, it truly does take a family to make the event a success.

“There is plenty of prep work that goes into a good pull,” Laribee said.

A non-sanctioned tractor pull is scheduled to take place Friday at 6 p.m.

Official tractor pull results will be published in the News Journal at a later date.